[monome]

Hi mates,

I have just built my new PC system for audio purposes.
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ASUS P5QL-E
Intel Dual Core E8400
4 GB Dual Channel Corsair XMS2 DHX CL5
ASUS EN7300GT 512M
Western Digital SATA2 250GB 7200rpm 16 MB Cache (WD2500AAKS)
Raidmax 520W PSU
Windows XP x64
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Regrettably, my purpose has not been achieved as I get glitches, pops and severe dropouts even at 1000 Samples (Buffer Size) which is inappropriate for my specs. I use Ableton Live 7.03 and the problem occurs only in ASIO mode especially when I move parameters in Ableton.The CPU Meter jumps crazy and I can barely do anything. Confusingly, this does not happen in MME Mode. I do get constant glitches and pops if I set the buffer to low but these are not influenced by anything. I can move whole song sequences or parameters around and the playback is very constant. I can get to a balance with the buffer but unfortunately, I cannot set multiple outputs in MME mode, nor I can get below 18ms latency without glitches, pops, crackle. I was expecting at least a 10ms latency.

I have tried different approaches from thoroughly optimizing the system, to asking a friend to borrow me a new Hard Drive, Graphic Card and Memory Stick which I tested one by one, but with no result at all. After searching the google a little I found out that Gigabyte EP35C-DS3R which was my motherobard had some problems with the P35 chipset and I was not the only one having serious problems with it. Not having any other options I changed my motherboard to an well respected P5QL-E ASUS but I shocked to see that the problem was exactly the same. Moreover I installed other OSs than XP x64. XP x32 was working better. A 144 samples buffer in ASIO mode was pretty stable although I was still getting pops and dropouts from time to time. Vista x64 was a mess. The pops and glitches were at their peak.

Convinced that the sound card is the problem (a Hercules DJ Console - 24bit/48000) I installed it on my brother's computer (an old Intel P4 at 3.00GHz with 512 RAM) together with Ableton and he didn't experienced any glitch or dropout even at very low buffer sizes as long as the CPU was below 80% usage.

I am very disappointed as I have spent a lot of money, time and effort for building my DAW System and the reward is an incapable one.

I have no idea what might cause the problem but I think it is something related to compatibility or something between the CPU and Motherboard.

I would really appreciate any help,

I look forward to hearing a response soon,